June is Orca Awareness Month
Cover Image:
Transient Biggs Killer Whale
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
During the past week, a number of Transient Biggs Orca were observed and reported. One pod of Transient Orca was observed hunting off the south end of Quadra Island (Cape Mudge) and catching a Harbour porpoise. A number of Humpback whales were observed with a few seen swimming against the tidal flow. Rounding our report are sightings of pods of Pacific White-Sided dolphins, Harbour porpoises, and one pod of Dall’s porpoises.
June is Orca Awareness Month in British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon. It is a time to increase awareness of the plight of the Southern Resident Orca and encourage action to protect them. Their populution continues to hover between 70 to 75 individuals, and many biologists & organizations are monitoring the Southern Resident Orca ensuring their protection. It is important to take action ourselves to help protect all living things in the ocean, such as ensuring garbage is disposed properly, eating seafood caught in environmentally-responsible methods, and decreasing wastewater. If you are a boater, know the laws regarding distances you must maintain when you see any Orca, or other whales or dolphins (see the next paragraph).
The Federal Government (DFO) issued the following statement about watching Orca in the wild: “Vessels must stay 400m away from all killer whales in southern BC coastal waters between Campbell River and just north of Ucluelet until May 31, 2024.” For all other areas of B.C. outside of the area indicated above, a minimum distance of 200-m must be maintained when viewing Orca OR while viewing any Cetaceans that are resting or with a calf. When viewing whales, dolphins, and porpoises under other circumstances not described above, a minimum distance of 100-m must be kept.
WOWs works throughout the year, so please continue to keep your eyes open, and report your sightings to us.
Ivan Ng, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Society News & Events
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Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2023-009
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Sun May 28 2023
14:00 • Biggs Orca heading west towards Blubber Bay, Malaspina Strait. Larger pod with one big male orca.
Brad Gustafson, Powell River, BC
Mon May 29 2023
05:00 • est. 4-6 Biggs Orca hunting, heading south in Whale Passage off the Penn Islands, Sutil Channel. Spy hopping, communicating, swimming in small area as a tight group. ▫ Observed from Shore
BH, Kelowna, BC
Wed May 31 2023
11:58 • Biggs Orca off Cape Lazo, Comox, Georgia Strait.
14:00 • Biggs Orca off Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Thu Jun 01 2023
06:30 • Biggs Orca off Willow Point, Georgia Strait.
10:15 • Biggs Orca, Calm Channel.
12:55 • Biggs Orca heading south, Homfray Channel.
13:15 • Biggs Orca in Forbes Bay, Homfray Channel.
13:20 • 3 Biggs Orca ◦T018s,T019B Galiano◦ at the north end of Lewis Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
13:39 • 2 Biggs Orca heading south at Bullock Bluff, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:48 • 2 Biggs Orca heading north, Rendezvous Islands, Calm Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:15 • 2 Biggs Orca ◦T019,T019B Galiano◦ taking long dives, heading south in Von Donop Inlet. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Thu, 1 Jun 2023 – 7 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Thu, 1 Jun 2023 – 7 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:15 • Biggs Orca entering Carrington Bay, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
Fri Jun 02 2023
12:44 • Biggs Orca by Cortez Reef, Baker Passage.
12:58 • Biggs Orca heading east, Twin Islands, Baker Passage.
13:35 • 5 Biggs Orca off Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
13:45 • 4 Biggs Orca ◦T018s◦ between Twin Islands and Mary Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
14:05 • Biggs Orca ◦T018s◦ heading east at Mary Point, Malaspina Strait.
14:55 • 2 Biggs Orca ◦T019,T019B Galiano◦ heading north approaching Squirrel Cove, Lewis Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
15:05 • 1 Biggs Orca ◦T019C Spouter◦ heading north in Tiber Bay, Lewis Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whale, Spouter, in Lewis Channel
Fri, 2 Jun 2023 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whale, Spouter, in Lewis Channel
Fri, 2 Jun 2023 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:10 • 2 Biggs Orca ◦T018 Esperanza,T019C Spouter◦ heading north in Tiber Bay.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Sat Jun 03 2023
09:20 • est. 3 Biggs Orca ◦T100, T100C, T100F◦ heading north, Quathiaski Cove Ferry Terminal, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
10:20 • 3 Biggs Orca ◦T100, T100C, T100F◦ heading south turned by Walcan Seafood Plant, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
10:56 • Biggs Orca ◦T100s◦ heading south approaching Campbell River Dolphins Resort, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales in Discovery Passage
Sat, 3 Jun 2023 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales in Discovery Passage
Sat, 3 Jun 2023 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
11:15 • Biggs Orca ◦T100s◦ heading south off the Tyee Spit, Campbell River mid Discovery Passage.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:30 • Biggs Orca heading north, Myrtle Rocks, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
11:50 • est. 15 Biggs Orca near French Creek, Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
15:45 • Biggs Orca between Mitlenatch Island and Hernando Island, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sun Jun 04 2023
09:45 • Biggs Orca heading south, Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy towards Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
13:20 • Biggs Orca near Copper Bluffs, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
13:45 • Biggs Orca off the Cape Mudge Village on Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:00 • 3 Biggs Orca ◦T100s◦ heading south near the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait. One male in pod.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whale in Georgia Strait
Sun, 4 Jun 2023 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whale in Georgia Strait
Sun, 4 Jun 2023 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:07 • est. 3-4 Biggs Orca heading south off Shelter Point south of Campbell River, Georgia Strait.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:30 • Biggs Orca hunting, off the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait. They took a Harbour Porpoise.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:39 • 3 Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading east about 1.75-NM off Shelter Point south of Campbell River, Georgia Strait. All small fins. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
Tue Jun 06 2023
07:35 • Biggs Orca heading north off Big Rock, Campbell River, Georgia Strait. Aiming at Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:35 • Biggs Orca heading north, Campbell River Dolphins Resort, Discovery Passage.
09:50 • Biggs Orca heading south, Steep Island, Discovery Passage.
10:20 • Biggs Orca heading south, Quathiaski Cove, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
12:11 • Biggs Orca heading south approaching Big Rock, Campbell River, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whale near Campbell River
Tue, 6 Jun 2023 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whale near Campbell River
Tue, 6 Jun 2023 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:50 • Biggs Orca ◦T046Cs◦ heading south, south of Willow Point, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Wed, 31 May 2023 – 2 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Wed, 31 May 2023 – 2 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
HUMPBACK WHALES
Wed May 31 2023
14:00 • Humpback Whales at Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
14:45 • Humpback Whales south side of Savary Island, Georgia Strait.
14:45 • Humpback Whales south reef off Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Thu Jun 01 2023
16:05 • Humpback Whales heading west between Knox Bay and Ripple Point, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Fri Jun 02 2023
10:45 • Humpback Whales off the Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
13:20 • Humpback Whales at Wilby Shoals south end of Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
16:00 • Humpback Whales off Kinghorn Island closer to Refuge Cove, Desolation Sound.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sat Jun 03 2023
10:20 • Humpback Whales between Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy and Cape Mudge Lighthouse, Georgia Strait.
10:40 • 4 Humpback Whales south of Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:36 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south near Middle Point, Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Sun Jun 04 2023
–:– • 2 Humpback Whales heading south-east at the Spoil Grounds south of Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:49 • 1 Humpback Whales foraging, near the Spoil Grounds south of Cape Mudge.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:20 • 2 Humpback Whales off Quathiaski Cove, Discovery Passage.
13:45 • 3 Humpback Whales off Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
13:55 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south off the Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:05 • Humpback Whales heading south-east about 1-NM west of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
Mon Jun 05 2023
09:30 • Humpback Whales out from Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel.
09:44 • Humpback Whales by Hidden Harbour, Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:25 • 1 Humpback Whales in Dogfish Bay at the southeast end of Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Bradden Kiley, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:54 • 2 Humpback Whales bucking tide, heading south off Maud Island in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales in Discovery Passage
Mon, 5 Jun 2023 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales in Discovery Passage
Mon, 5 Jun 2023 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:15 • 2 Humpback Whales by Willow Point, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Tue Jun 06 2023
11:15 • 2 Humpback Whales off Center Islet north-west of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
12:16 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north near Big Rock, Campbell River, Georgia Strait. Orca are close by.
14:27 • 1 Humpback Whales bucking tide, near Whiskey Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. At 14:40, the Humpback was southbound going with the Tide off the We Wai Kai Village about half a mile off the Quadra Island shore.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
16:15 • Humpback Whales off Okisollo Channel in Discovery Passage.
16:20 • Humpback Whales heading south, Cape Mudge, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Thu Jun 01 2023
11:45 • PWS Dolphins spread out from Little Dent Island past Devils Hole, Dent Rapids.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sat Jun 03 2023
11:40 • est. 8 PWS Dolphins off Copper Bluffs, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:52 • PWS Dolphins zig zagging, off the Walcan Seafood Plant, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
Mon Jun 05 2023
12:00 • est. 25 PWS Dolphins off Dent Island, Dent Rapids.
Radio, overheard or call out
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Sat, 3 Jun 2023 – 1 items
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Sat, 3 Jun 2023 – 1 items
DALLS PORPOISE
Thu Jun 01 2023
11:50 • est. 6 Dalls Porpoise, Arran Rapids.
Radio, overheard or call out
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Thu Jun 01 2023
13:30 • est. 5 Harbour Porpoise between Mitlenatch Island and Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait. One very small. ▫ Second Hand
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
Fri Jun 02 2023
16:44 • 2 Harbour Porpoise northeast of Kinghorn Island, Desolation Sound.
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
Sun Jun 04 2023
14:30 • Harbour Porpoise being hunted, off the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait. Was caught and killed by Bigg’s Orca.
Radio, overheard or call out
Archive Explorer
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The Magazine
REGIONAL & NATIONAL
CTV News
Video shows Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) staff leading the rescue of a severely entangled humpback whale off the coast of British Columbia last week.
Pacific Marine Mammal Response coordinator Paul Cottrell says the DFO received a tip from the public about an injured humpback whale off Haida Gwaii on May 30….
read on
SPECIAL SIGHTINGS
Global News
Thousands of social media users on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border are marvelling at a "one in a million" photograph of a deer swimming next to a mammal-munching killer whale earlier this month….
read on
read on
RESEARCH & CONSERVATION
NY Times
Thousands of colossal southern right whales travel to the calm waters of PenÃnsula Valdés off the coast of Argentina each year to breed and give birth. The cetaceans, which can reach 56 feet in length, are a sight to behold, especially with their calves in tow. But if you venture out to see them, you may sometimes find your stomach turning for a reason that has nothing to do with sea sickness….
read on
read on